Same-sex marriage in Indiana clears hurdle

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – In a ruling that came down Tuesday, a judge ruled that Indiana must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

While this was a victory for same-sex marriage proponents, the battle for marriage equality in Indiana is far from over.

This ruling doesn’t take effect immediately, and it won’t until the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago makes its own ruling.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two women who live in Indianapolis, Michelle and Shannon Bowling.

They were married in 2011 in Iowa, where same sex marriage is legal.

Their Facebook page says they filed suit to have their marriage recognized in Indiana in March of this year.

According to the Associated Press, Shannon Bowling works for the Indiana Department of Corrections and wants state benefits for Michelle Bowling and Michelle’s kids.

U.S. District Judge Richard Young, who issued this latest ruling, said Indiana has to recognize the couple’s marriage, with a ruling that read in part, “The phenomenon that the court previously observed has continued to grow. Since issuing its prior orders, two circuit courts have found bans similar to Indiana’s to be unconstitutional. This court reaffirms that conclusion.”

Judge Young also struck down Indiana’s same sex marriage ban back in June. That allowed couples to marry for three days before the federal appeals court stopped the marriages until it heard the appeal.

The 7th Circuit Court should hear oral arguments next week in the initial case that struck down the same sex marriage ban in June.

It’s unknown at this point if it will hear arguments in this current case at the same time or at a later date.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has yet to comment on this latest ruling.

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